Troy Aikman once again took his place in the broadcast booth for ESPN’s Monday Night Football, providing commentary alongside his long-time partner Joe Buck. The duo was in Denver this week for the highly-anticipated matchup between the Denver Broncos and the Cleveland Browns. The game itself has lived up to the hype, filled with big plays and momentum shifts, with Denver holding a six-point lead entering the fourth quarter as they fight for their first playoff berth in nearly a decade.
While Aikman’s insight on the game has been as sharp and knowledgeable as always, it’s his physical appearance that has garnered considerable attention—and concern—from viewers.
Fans took to social media during the broadcast, voicing their worries about Aikman’s eyes, which appeared red and bloodshot. This isn’t the first time this season that his appearance has raised concerns among the audience.
Many fans watching the game were puzzled, some commenting specifically on Aikman’s eyes and eyelids, which seemed visibly irritated. Several expressed their unease on social media, leading to a flurry of comments and speculation about what might be going on.
Broadcaster Chris Williamson tweeted, “I hope Troy Aikman is okay,” while another fan humorously remarked, “Troy Aikman with the red eyes like he took some of Wonka’s special chocolate mix.” A third viewer added, “Troy Aikman’s eyes are red as hell. Must be from crying about how good the @Eagles are.”
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Others were more straightforward in their concern, with one viewer asking, “What the heck is going on with Troy Aikman’s eyelids?” Another person noted, “Something seems wrong with Troy Aikman’s eyes—looks bruised on the eyelids. Maybe just super tired? Anyone else notice this?” The ongoing chatter highlighted that many were noticing something unusual about Aikman’s appearance, sparking widespread concern and speculation about his health or well-being.
Despite the distraction over his appearance, Aikman continued to deliver his usual straightforward commentary, and he did not shy away from being critical, particularly regarding the Cleveland Browns’ handling of their quarterback situation. Aikman voiced his disapproval of the team’s decision to wait until Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending injury before replacing him with backup quarterback Jameis Winston.
Aikman highlighted what he saw as a missed opportunity for the Browns to change course earlier in the season. During the game, he commented, “I get it, this year hasn’t been what people thought coming in, but the albatross is Deshaun Watson. If you go to Jameis Winston earlier in the year, does this look different? Because I would say the defensive struggles, in at least a small part, have had to do with how inept the offense has been moving the football. I think it affected the defensive play as well.”
Winston’s performance during the game has been a mixed bag.
On one hand, he has thrown a pick-six, further complicating Cleveland’s offensive woes, but on the other hand, Winston has managed to pass for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns, keeping the Browns competitive against the Broncos.
Aikman’s analysis drew attention to how Cleveland’s offensive inconsistencies have put additional pressure on their defense, a point he emphasized multiple times throughout the night.
Meanwhile, fans remain glued to their screens, not only following the action on the field but also keeping an eye on Aikman, whose appearance has continued to spark conversation online.
Denver overcame career-best performances by Jameis Winston and former Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to secure a 41-32 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Monday night.
Winston had some impressive moments: He threw for a career-high number of yards, showcasing his arm strength and playmaking ability throughout the game.
Meanwhile, Jeudy, who returned to Denver for the matchup, put on a stellar performance, reminding fans of his talent and athleticism. Despite their efforts, it wasn’t enough to hold off the Broncos, who managed to outscore the Browns in a high-stakes contest filled with big plays and intense action.
